1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Hardtop

One of the last Detroit automakers to enter the pony car game was the Chrysler E-body series (including the Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth Barracuda). They made their introduction over five years after the first Mustang was released. The Challenger, in similar fashion to Ford and Chevrolet, was based on a stretched, compact vehicle (in this case, the Dart). The new pony car was emblazoned with bumblebee stripes and offered them with a full array of options and nearly any engine Chrysler built, including the legendary Hemi.

The Challenger was new for 1970 and received only minor changes for 1971. A convertible version of the Challenger was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500. This would be Dodge's last factory convertible until the mid-1980s. After 1971, the Hemi was no longer available.

The Challenger R/T models were outfitted with high back bucket seats, heavy duty brakes, an R/T handling package, and G70x14 raised white letter tires. They carried a base price of $3,273 while the Hemi option raised to price by an additional $892. In total, just 70 examples were built with the HEMI option, including 58 four-speeds and it is believed that just 49 are known to exist.

This HEMI Challenger R/T model has just 64,000 miles and is one of just six surviving examples with black exterior paint. This is the sole example known to still wears its original factory finish. It is equipped with its original numbers-matching drivetrain, including the engine, transmission, and rear end. It is equipped with the A-34 Trak-Pak option, which includes a 3.54:1 Sure-Grip limited slip differential and a Dana 60 8¾-inch rear axle. It has its original interior, glass, seats, headliner and carpeting. The engine was rebuilt in 2003, and several of the mechanical components have also received service.

This car was purchased in 1971 by the owner of a speed shop in Joplin, Missouri. The car was used as his daily river and kept it on display in front of the shop to help attract business. Another owner - Susan Willey of Ohio - purchased the car in 1979. Willey raced the car at local race tracks and worked on the car herself. She maintained the car until selling it in 1993. The current owners have stored the car in climate-friendly Arizona.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Scottsdale auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $275,000. Bidding reached $220,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013